The Vision
Our vision is far greater than the scope of this RFP, but it seems useful to articulate our vision as context for proposals.
Miscrosoft has said there are four core languages that will be on all computers: C#, C++, VB/VBScript, and Javascript/Jscript. We are recommending that H&A shift emphasis from APL to Javascript because Javascript will be in every modern Windows based computer on the planet and will be overwhelmingly pervasive on the Internet. We intend to simplify use of Javascript by creating a scripting language that will use procedures written in Javascript and sometimes in other languages. Use of other languages is especially sensible where fully functional code is already written in another language that can be used from Javascript. This includes fully functional code that has already been written in APL to manage USMS archives.
We're making progress in figuring out how to move History & Archives systems to become more "conventional" in accord with the HOD mandate from Louisville convention. Some of our ideas may not be sufficiently far along for implementation, but we thought it would be useful to articulate them as best we can today. What we have in mind is a scripting language that will provide utilities and that can be used from Access, C++, Javascript or whatever environment one chooses. We think it important that whatever we create be able to run either on the Internet or on one's home computer without an Internet connection. When running on the internet, it should run on a zero footprint basis, that is, requiring no installation; nothing will need to be installed on your hard drive. Our vision is that this will satisfy requirements for Top Ten processing software and other LMSC's, and it may lead the way to a future suite of programs for processing Top Ten by the R&T Committee. We first named it TTSscript, but it's easier to say TScript, so that's it's name now. It will be similar to Javascript, but far simpler. (Javascript is Microsoft's implementation of Javascript, freshly written to the same specs to avoid Sun's refusal to allow Microsoft to use the name Java in any form).
TScript will be a "very high level, very small" programming language. It will be designed to create reports, forms for data entry, and to do batch processing. It is intended to increase the productivity of programmers while being simple enough for use by non-programmers.
TScript will be built on Javascript, but I hope it will be so simple there is no need for anyone to understand Javascript to use TScript. TScript will be our way of making our software run both on the internet and in your home computer and it will allow USMS people to modify programs. We will create TScript as a special way of doing things in USMS and anytime we want to extend it we will do it in the Javascript way.
People who have used scripting languages like HTML will have no trouble using TScript. Also, people who are familiar with command line processing will have no trouble. Newcomers to programming may find it a bit of a challenge at first, but help will be available. And, a program will be developed that will write scripts according to the users specifications.
TScript is not designed to be a complete language. Instead, it is designed to empower users of other languages and databases by making available to them utilities written in other languages, including APL. One of the benefits of TScript is that programs written in it will run either on the internet or in a standalone computer under Windows. TScript programs will also be able to run in a home computer augmented by data available from the Internet.
